Pete Myers, stakeholder manager for Northern, said: "We are part of a network and it was in this region particularly that driver training requirements were most prevalent. That's why the decision was made to suspend services.

"There was certainly no disrespecting the Lake District or not recognising how import Windermere is as a tourist destination, but there was really no choice at the time."

Mr Myers said the introduction of new timetables meant rolling stock had to be relocated and that trains moved on to the Lakes Line required drivers to undergo additional training.

"It's not like a car, you can't just jump into a train and drive it. Drivers had to be trained and that is the position we were in", he added.

But Mr Stewart said: "You have to know your business and the first principle of management that I learned was, there should be no surprises.

"The fact is simply that Northern have not done very well by their passengers."